ALOC NEWS
| November 6 , 2000 | Associated
Landlords of the Cumberland Area ALOC Phone (301) 759-0530 P.O. Box 1867 |
Vol. 6, Issue 11 |
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Lead Paint Training
October Meeting
Insurance Coverage We
have invited Ed Seward with CBIZ ( BGS &G) as well as
Scott Stevenson (Keller Stonebraker) to attend our November
meeting to explain insurance coverage for MDE Visits to Local Housing Offices The MDE's Western Maryland inspector, Glenn Savage, has paid visits to both Cwnberland and Frostburg Housing Offices asking for copies of their lists of registered Landlords. There was some talk of joint registration but we suspect that the real reason is enforcement. We understand that a number of other local people have been fined for not registering and the fines are in the 5-digit range! One of these people is a local attorney who has handled a few closing for some ofus, and the other is a retired lady with 1 unit. As
we have mentioned many times before, whether you agree with
it or not you must register with the MDE and the City. Compliance
with the Lead Paint rules, though not strictly enforced will
come to a head in February when the 50 % rule takes effect.
This rule is fairly simple to understand. On February 24,2001
at least 50% of your rentals must have had risk reduction
work done or a dust wipe test with an inspection certificate
issued. All figuring is rounded up so if you have 1 unit it
must be in full compliance in February, if you have 5 units
then 3 must be in compliance.
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Cumberland Flood Relief TWR and HereinTown.Net will be winding down its Flood Relief fund raising campaign to help the people that were flooded out by the recent deluge that occurred on September II dl, The last part will finish on November 27dl with a raffle for a two-night golf package at Rocky Gap, Contact JeffHutter or Patti Taylor at TWR 301-777-2692 if you would like to make a donation. Lead Paint Loans and Grants There are funds available to rehabilitate your properties including risk reduction work such as replacement of windows and etc. These programs are administered through the Crownsville office of the Maryland Housing and Community Development Department. The contact person is Eileen Hagen. You may want to contact Allegany County's Housing Office first as they may have some of the information including applications. Please be forewarned that these applications are very long and complicated. Elections, Commissioners and etc. By the time of our next meeting we will have a new President and we may see some other new faces. It will certainly bea close election to follow and ALOC encourages all members to get out the vote! As you have probably being reading in the newspaper Allegany County is working on a long-range plan to increase the number of commissioners from 3 to 5. A citizen committee was appointed to explore the possibility and make recommendations to the commissioners by early December. ALOC President, JeffHutter, was appointed to this commission along with a number ofbusiness, and labor representatives as well as individual citizens. The group has met numerous times and will be issuing a report to the commissioners well ahead of the December deadline. These recommendations mayor may not be implemented by the commissioners and may not take effect for some time. On the upside, I guess we all be glad to see all of the political ads disappear from the TV! Title X and MDE Forms Attached
is ample disclosure form that covers both EPA and MDE requirements.
If you have any questions as to how the form is used contact
Jeff Hutter.
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Maryland Property
Owners Notes
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The Maryland
Property Owners Network met in Annapolis on October 26th at
the Maryland board of Realtors office on Riva Road. JeffHutter
from ALOC and Bill Russell from Frostburg attended, as did representatives
from Baltimore, Hagerstown, Frederick, Elkton and Salisbury.
Members from Annapolis and other areas were unable to attend.
Alfred
Singer, from Baltimore chaired the meeting and presented a lot
of information including the continuing litany of lead paint
articles appearing in the Baltimore Sun. He continued on telling
us that Baltimore's lead regulations are tougher than Maryland's
and that Baltimore is hiring more staff to take care of the
lead situation. In many cases when they must do lead work they
are required to relocate the tenants which is creating problems
as there is not enough transitional housing for these temporarily
displaced persons. Representatives from Cecil County advised us about a new initiative that is being considered in their county. A sort of Excise Tax on new residential housing could result in a $ 2500-3500 fee being assessed for each new house or apartment unit being built. They do not believe it will come to fruition but it points up the incredible and continuing stupidity of big government. Maybe next they will tax us on the size of our windows or the amount of light that comes into our homes and apartments ! A joint EPA and BUD SWAT Team is checking into Title X compliance, so make sure you have your signed disclosure forms! |
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Leases and other Documents The Leases and other forms have been upgraded to reflect Law changes made in recent years and are available now.ALOC has
available leases, rental applications and tenant checklists
for sale, at cost, to members. The cost for each item is as
follows: These forms are kept at Jeff Hutter's office, TWR Comm. at 117-119 Valley Street. Any paid member can stop by and pick up whatever they need, however we ask that you call first with your order so that the forms can be ready and waiting for you. Please
call at least 24 hours in advance as these are made to order. |
ALOC
Officers
J. Jeffrey Hutter President Rose
Selby Vice President J. Jeffrey Hutter Treasurer Board of Directors Henry
Holzshu |
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Thought for the Month Eating words has never given me indigestion. Winston Churchill (date unknown) I know
it is the modern view that all rich people shoule be put to
death whenever found, Winston
Churchill 1944 |
